PO200 American National Government

for F1J 2009

Mission Statement: The mission of Park University, an entrepreneurial institution of learning, is to provide access to academic excellence, which will prepare learners to think critically, communicate effectively and engage in lifelong learning while serving a global community.

Vision Statement: Park University will be a renowned international leader in providing innovative educational opportunities for learners within the global society.

Course

PO 200 American National Government

Semester

F1J 2009 DN

Faculty

Edson, Phyllis Q.

Title

Adjunct Faculty

Degrees/Certificates

Ph.D. Public Administration/Political ScienceM.A. Political ScienceBachelor's of Journalism

Course Description: PO 200 American National Government: (GE) A survey of the functions and processes of the three branches of American national government. The changing roles of the branches and their relationship to the public will be emphasized. 3:0:3

Educational Philosophy:

My educational philosophy is to act as a facilitator, encouraging the student to experience the materials presented in class through lectures, discussions, written work and tests; to encourage the student to reflect and exanpand on what s/he found out and then to teach the student to apply that knowledge.

Learning Outcomes:Core Learning Outcomes

Explain the historical and constitutional basis for the federal government's structure and its system of checks and balances

Evaluate the role of public opinion, media and interest groups in the development of public policy and elections

Analyze the conduct of elections and explain group and individual voting behavior.

Analyze the creation of policy and administration of government programs

Core Assessment:

Core Assessment

All ParkUniversity courses must include a core assessment that measures Departmental Learning Outcomes.The purpose of this assessment is to determine if expectations have been met concerning mastery of learning outcomes across all instructional modalities.The core assessment for this course is a portfolio of written work and will account for at least 20% of the total grade for the course and cover all four of the Core Learning Outcomes.

Late Submission of Course Materials: This is only an 8-week class. Therefore, handing in late papers and assignments is ill-advised. In-class assignments and quizzes are done in class and cannot be turned in late. The final paper will be due during the final class period. If a student cannot be there that class period, the paper must be turned in via e-mail that day. However, points will be deducted for not presenting the paper to the class. Any other assignments or tests taken after the due date, will automatically be deducted one letter grade. Tests MAY NOT be taken any time other than the time and date scheduled unless prior permission is given by the instructor.

Classroom Rules of Conduct:

Regular breaks during the class period will be given by the instructor. No electronic devices should be on or in use during class meetings. That includes telephones, games, pagers and laptop computers. That also means no texting.

Course Topic/Dates/Assignments:

Thurs. August 20: Introduction and Course Overview

Foundations and History of the American Democracy

Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution

2 Principles of the Constitution

Chapters 1 & 2

Thurs. August 27: Congress

Constitutional Structure, Duties, Responsibilities

2 Roles of Congressmen

Political Parties and Congress

Congress and Public Policy

Chapter 11,

Video, "Charlie Wilson's War." In-Class Case Study Assignment

Thurs. Sept. 3: The Presidency and the Bureaucracy

Constitutional Duties

The Modern President

Sources of presidential power

Limits of presidential power

Chapters 12 and 13

Handout, In-Class Case Study Assignment

Thurs. Sept. 10: The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court as a public policymaking body

The Supreme Court and Politics

Review and Discuss: 2 Principles of the Constitution

Checks and Balances

Federalism

Chapter 14

Review for Mid-Term Exam

Thurs. Sept 17: Mid-Term Exam

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

What constitutes rights?

Chapters 4 and 5

Final project assignment handed out.

Hand-Out, In-class Assignment

Thurs. Sept. 24: Public Opinion and Mass Media

What role do these play in influencing public policy?

Chapters 6 and 7

Video, "Can Mr. Smith Get to Washinton Anymore?"

In-Class Assignment

Thurs. Oct. 1: Participation in the Political Process: Political Parties, Voting, Elections

The impact of participation or lack of participation on policy.

Chapters 9 and 10

Review for Final Exam

Discussions of Final Project

Thurs. Oct. 8: Final Exam

Final Presentations of Final Paper

Academic Honesty:Academic integrity is the foundation of the academic community. Because each student has the primary responsibility for being academically honest, students are advised to read and understand all sections of this policy relating to standards of conduct and academic life. Park University 2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog Page 87

Plagiarism:Plagiarism involves the use of quotations without quotation marks, the use of quotations without indication of the source, the use of another's idea without acknowledging the source, the submission of a paper, laboratory report, project, or class assignment (any portion of such) prepared by another person, or incorrect paraphrasing. Park University 2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog Page 92

The instructor may excuse absences for valid reasons, but missed work must be made up within the semester/term of enrollment.

Work missed through unexcused absences must also be made up within the semester/term of enrollment, but unexcused absences may carry further penalties.

In the event of two consecutive weeks of unexcused absences in a semester/term of enrollment, the student will be administratively withdrawn, resulting in a grade of "F".

A "Contract for Incomplete" will not be issued to a student who has unexcused or excessive absences recorded for a course.

Students receiving Military Tuition Assistance or Veterans Administration educational benefits must not exceed three unexcused absences in the semester/term of enrollment. Excessive absences will be reported to the appropriate agency and may result in a monetary penalty to the student.

Report of a "F" grade (attendance or academic) resulting from excessive absence for those students who are receiving financial assistance from agencies not mentioned in item 5 above will be reported to the appropriate agency.

Disability Guidelines:Park University is committed to meeting the needs of all students that meet the criteria for special assistance. These guidelines are designed to supply directions to students concerning the information necessary to accomplish this goal. It is Park University's policy to comply fully with federal and state law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, regarding students with disabilities. In the case of any inconsistency between these guidelines and federal and/or state law, the provisions of the law will apply. Additional information concerning Park University's policies and procedures related to disability can be found on the Park University web page: http://www.park.edu/disability .

Additional Information:The Final Research Paper which is 20 percent of the final grade will constitute the Core Assessment. This written assignment will require the student to apply the four departmental Learning Outcomes to a public policy issue.

Rubric

Competency

Exceeds Expectation (3)

Meets Expectation (2)

Does Not Meet Expectation (1)

No Evidence (0)

Synthesis Outcomes1

Artifact demonstrates ability to explain American National Government (ANG) structure and operation based on English political history, colonial experience, and Constitutional Convention events

Artifact fails to explain any foundational aspects for creation of the ANG

Analysis Outcomes3, 4

Artifact demonstrates student's ability to identify and explain voting behavior by all demographic groups and how these decisions impact on the creation of policy and administration of government programs.
Artifact demonstrates student's ability to identify and explain voting behavior by all demographic groups and how these decisions impact on the creation of policy and administration of government programs.

Student demonstrates ability to identify and explain voting behavior by all demographic groups

Student demonstrates ability to identify and explain voting behavior by some demographic categories

Student does not identify and explain voting behavior by demographic categories.

Evaluation Outcomes2

Student demonstrates ability to explain the influence of third party groups and the media on elections and public policy citing specific current events

Student explains influences of third party groups and the media on elections and public policy by referencing textbook examples

Student explains the influences of some third party groups and/or media on elections and public policy

Student does not explain any influences

Terminology Outcomes1, 2, 3, 4

Artifact demonstrates proper use of terminology with no errors

Artifact demonstrates proper use of terminology with no more than one error

Artifact demonstrates proper use of terminology with two errors

Artifact shows three or more errors

Concepts Outcomes1, 2, 3, 4

Artifact demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the concepts in all the relevant learning objectives

Artifact demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the concepts in 3 of the relevant learning Objectives

Artifact demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the concepts in 1 or 2 of the relevant learning objectives

Artifact does not demonstrate an understanding of concepts in any of the relevant learning objectives

Application Outcomes1, 2, 3, 4

Artifact demonstrates ability to relate current events to all learning objectives